GDANSK (Reuters) - Andres Iniesta was key to Spain's triumphs at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup despite injury problems and the fact that he is fully fit and in scintillating form should strike fear into Spain's rivals in Poland and Ukraine. The fleet-footed attacking midfielder, scorer of the goal that secured the Iberian nation's first world title, tore China apart in Spain's final Euro 2012 warm-up match in Seville last weekend, hitting the crossbar before setting up David Silva to tap in the winner in a 1-0 success.

GNIEWINO, Poland (Reuters) - Spain must beat France in a competitive match for the first time if they are to reach the Euro 2012 semi-finals and the latest French squabbling can only have boosted their chances of finally vanquishing Les Bleus in a major tournament. Off-pitch quarrels among the French players led to an ignominious early exit from the 2010 World Cup and officials and players have admitted that fur was flying again after Tuesday's 2-0 Group D loss to Sweden. Holders Spain, by contrast, have presented a typically upbeat and united front ahead of the quarter-final in Donetsk, the winners of which will meet Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal or the Czech Republic in the last four.

DONETSK (Reuters) - Slick Spain showed they are a team who know how to get results against ultra-defensive teams at major championships when they eased past France into the last four of Euro 2012 on Saturday. Backed by a rock-solid defence and controlling possession for long periods, the Spanish were faced with a wall of white French shirts and turned in a typically assured and patient performance to beat Les Bleus for the first time in a competitive game. The 2-0 victory was made all the sweeter by Xabi Alonso's double in his 100th international and the holders march on to meet Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in the last four as they seek to become the first nation to win back-to-back continental titles with a World Cup in between.

By Iain Rogers MADRID, June 5 (Reuters) - Vicente del Bosque pledged continuity when he succeeded Luis Aragones after Spain's victory at Euro 2008 and delivered spectacularly by leading the Iberian nation to their first World Cup triumph in South Africa two years later. Under the mild-mannered, avuncular 61-year-old, the Spanish have swept to 47 wins in 55 matches, including a perfect eight victories in their Euro 2012 qualifiers, and have racked up 138 goals and conceded 42. While Aragones favoured a brasher style and provoked his players to inspire them, Del Bosque is more the kindly father figure, quietly coaxing the best out of his hugely talented squad and successfully fostering a harmonious atmosphere.

GDANSK (Reuters) - Xabi Alonso is well equipped to analyse Ireland's game given that he played with Robbie Keane at Liverpool and came up against many of the Irish captain's team mates in the English Premier League. Less well known is that the Spanish midfielder, whose side meet Ireland in Euro 2012 Group C in Gdansk on Thursday, spent a summer in Kells, County Meath as a teenager learning English. As well as playing soccer, he tried his hand at Gaelic football and says knocking about with local youngsters gave him a grounding in a more physical style of play than he was used to back home in the Basque Country.

* Portuguese nets stunning winner in 'Clasico' showdown * Real seven clear at the top with four games left * First win for Mourinho at Nou Camp in nine attempts * Guardiola concedes title at post-match news conference (Adds details, quotes) By Iain Rogers BARCELONA, April 21 (Reuters) - Real Madrid have one hand on a first La Liga trophy in four years after Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brilliant winner in a 2-1 victory at Barcelona on Saturday that stretched their lead over their bitter rivals to seven points with four games left.